What We Do

FJI is committed to achieving social justice through our dedicated litigation and advocacy efforts in criminal justice reform, housing & poverty, and disability access.

A group photo of the current team members of the Florida Justice Institute

What does FJI Do?

At FJI, we are civil rights attorneys who work to achieve lasting change for poor and disenfranchised Floridians through strategic, creative, and client-centered litigation. 

Through a combination of class-action and individual cases, FJI aims to leverage our resources to end systems of oppression and improve living conditions so that change continues well beyond our victories in the courtroom.

THE THREE PRONGS OF FJI’S WORK

A photo of the front gates for Florida State Prison

Human Rights in the Justice System

FJI initiates cases aimed at reforming Florida’s worst criminal justice policies. The cases we bring encompass efforts to improve prison conditions, prevent abuse, mitigate violence, achieve disability accommodations, protect free speech, address dangerous understaffing and overcrowding, and outlaw solitary confinement.

Additionally, FJI advocates for cash bail reform and other policies that would ease the burden on families supporting incarcerated loved ones.

Prisoners plead for air conditioning in lawsuit against Florida corrections department

By KATE PAYNE | November 1, 2024Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — It was the hottest September in more than […]

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Florida accused of “deliberate indifference” to inmates in sweltering heat at Miami-Dade prison, lawsuit says

By CBS/News Service of Florida | November 1, 2024CBS Miami TALLAHASSEE — Accusing the state of “deliberate indifference,” a federal lawsuit […]

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Prison reform advocates sue in federal court for air conditioning in Florida prisons

By Elena Barrera | October 31, 2024Tallahassee Democrat A new lawsuit is aiming for a big chill. After what was […]

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Florida prisoners file federal lawsuit over deadly heat with no A/C

By Minnah Arshad | October 31, 2024USA Today Stifling heat at a Miami-area concrete prison without air conditioning contributed to […]

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Heat contributed to 4 deaths, made many ill at Miami-Dade prison without AC, lawsuit claims

By Ashley Miznazi | October 31, 2024Miami Herald South Florida temperatures soared to record highs over the last few summers — […]

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FJI Files Lawsuit Over Sweltering Heat at South Florida Prison

Florida Justice Institute (FJI) filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) on behalf of those incarcerated at Dade Correctional Institution (Dade CI),...

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Empowerment for Vulnerable Populations

FJI spearheads legal challenges to laws that criminalize poverty and unfairly target people experiencing homelessness, advocating for increased funding for affordable housing and access to proper treatment.

Additionally, FJI takes on cases representing victims of housing discrimination, ensuring their rights are upheld and justice is served.

Lessons from Hurricane Andrew: Building Toward a Safe Place to Call Home in Florida

Back in August 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, displacing over 250,000 residents and upending the lives of those families in the region. People who...

FJI Sues Lake City Over Ordinance Restricting Requests for Donations at Intersections

The Florida Justice Institute has filed a lawsuit against the City of Lake City over ordinance that restricts requests for […]

Suit: JAX anti-panhandling law unconstitutional

By Robert Grant | March 4, 2024Action News Jax JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new federal lawsuit against the City of […]

COSAC sues JAX over anti-panhandling law

By Steve Patterson | March 1, 2024Florida Times-Union A homelessness nonprofit is suing to stop enforcement of a Jacksonville law banning panhandling in […]

Miami to settle over unconstitutional ordinance

By Joshua Ceballos | February 22, 2024WLRN A Miami man experiencing homelessness is set to receive a $45,000 settlement from the […]

$45K Settlement Over Miami Panhandling Arrests

By Alex DeLuca | February 15, 2024Miami New Times The Miami City Attorney’s office has arranged for a $45,000 payout […]

Dignity for Individuals with a Disability

FJI also initiates litigation aimed at compelling governments and businesses to maintain accessible facilities, thereby guaranteeing that individuals with disabilities receive the necessary accommodations to lead lives of dignity and respect.

How FJI Helped Lucy Get a Wheelchair & Peace of Mind

We want to share with you a story of one of the individuals we were able to help through our […]

Florida prisons will soon have more disability accommodations

HANNAH CRITCHFIELD – Aging and seniors reporter Published Dec. 2 Here’s what that means for the state’s aging incarcerated population. Change […]

Settlement Reached with FDOC Requires Improved Treatment of People with Disabilities

November 10, 2021, TALLAHASSEE Disability Rights Florida, the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy system for individuals with disabilities, has reached […]

Florida breached agreement to accommodate inmates with disabilities, lawsuit says

It’s been about two years since Florida and Disability Rights Florida, a statewide advocacy group, reached a settlement that was […]

FJI, Representing Disability Rights Florida, Sues Florida Department of Corrections for Breach of Settlement Agreement Protecting Incarcerated People with Disabilities

TALLAHASSEE, DECEMBER 4, 2019– Disability Rights Florida, Florida’s federally funded Protection and Advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities, has brought […]

Why Many Deaf Prisoners Can’t Call Home

Calling home from prison is cumbersome and expensive. For deaf people behind bars, it’s even tougher, sometimes impossible. The technology […]

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